His father died when he was very young, and his mother, a dressmaker, and sister, a classical dancer, worked hard to fund his education.

Late that year, he went to study in Japan, and upon his return, he wrote The Jungle of Life (Pa Nai Chiwit), and his romantic masterpiece Behind the Painting (Khang Lang Phap).

He also wrote several books, including Till We Meet Again (Chon Kwa Rao Cha Phop Kan Ik).

In 1951, during the second premiership of dictatorial Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, Kulap set up the Peace Foundation of Thailand.

During his years in jail, Kulap wrote the first two volumes of an unfinished trilogy Looking Ahead (Lae Pai Khang Na).

While he was attending an Afro-Asian Writers' Conference in Tashkent, there was a coup in Thailand and all members of Kulap's delegation were arrested and jailed on their return.

Faced with the same fate, Kulap chose to remain in China where he led the life of a "democratic personality" in exile.

He also contributed to the Afro-Asian Solidarity Front's cultural activities and to the Thai service of China's broadcasting radio.